Enriching rotifers with “premium” microalgae. Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T-ISO

The effect of semi-continuous culture on the nutritional value of microalgae was tested in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis in short-term enrichment experiments. Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T-ISO was cultured semi-continuously with renewal rates from 10 to 50% of the volume of the culture per day and used to feed the rotifers. After 24 h, dramatic differences in dry weight and protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents were observed in the rotifers depending on the renewal rate applied to the microalgal culture. Rotifers fed T-ISO cultured with low renewal rates showed low dry weight and organic content, whereas rotifers fed microalgae from nutrient-sufficient, high renewal rate cultures showed higher dry weight and increases up to 60% in protein, 35% in lipid and 100% in carbohydrate contents. Feed conversion rate (FCR) and organic FCR decreased with increasing renewal rates, indicating a more efficient assimilation of the microalgal biomass obtained at high growth rates. The fatty acid profile of rotifers reflected that of T-ISO, with maximum content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) being found in the rotifers fed microalgae from the renewal rate of 40%. Results demonstrate that the biochemical composition of B. plicatilis is strongly modified through the use of semi-continuous cultures of microalgae in short-term enrichment processes. This technique provides an excellent tool to improve the nutritional value of the live feed used in fish larvae cultures.